As Winter Storm Nemo bears down on the Northeast, Boston is bracing for heavy snowfall and winds, with blizzard conditions expected to begin Friday afternoon. Accumulations of snow between 24 to 30 inches are expected in the Boston metro area. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are expected, with potential coastal flooding Friday evening and Saturday morning at high tide around the city.

On Thursday, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told residents to “Stay off the streets of our city,” according to the Boston Herald. Boston public schools were closed Friday, and the mayor urged businesses to keep nonessential employees at home.

According to the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., in records dating to 1935, there have been only seven snowstorms of 20 inches or more in Boston, topped by the Feb. 17-18, 2003 snowstorm (27.5") and the infamous "Blizzard of '78" (Feb. 6-7; 27.1").